Sapling Spirits creates vodka with wonky fruit

Spirits producer Sapling has launched Raspberry & Hibiscus Vodka as the first expression in its new wonky fruit range.

Sapling’s wonky fruit range has been created to fight food waste by using fruit that does not meet premium-grade specifications for appearance, weight and colour, and struggles to make it onto grocery shelves.

Ivo Devereux, co-founder of Sapling Spirits, said: “We are really excited to be launching our new wonky range of vodka. At Sapling we believe that beauty is more than skin deep which is why we use natural wonky raspberries that might not look perfect but still taste just as sweet and juicy as their ‘perfect’ counterparts.

“This is not just about taste, it is about our planet too. We are excited at Sapling to have created something that customers can enjoy knowing they are helping food waste and their planet.”

The range has debuted with a Raspberry & Hibiscus Vodka expression, which uses rejected raspberries that have been bumped, crushed, squashed or broken but are ‘just as fruity and delicious’ as their supermarket shelf-worthy counterparts.

The raspberries are combined with delicate hibiscus and Sapling’s British wheat-based vodka to create an expression that boasts a ‘deliciously fruity and refreshing taste’.

It is said to be perfect for sipping or mixing together with tonic water to create a fruity cocktail.

Sapling’s Raspberry & Hibiscus Vodka is now available in John Lewis & Partners for RRP £36 (US$45).

In an effort to reduce transport emissions, Sapling uses local ingredients in the production of its vodka and gin bottlings. The brand also plants a tree for every bottle sold to offset carbon emissions.

Sapling’s limited edition climate‐positive citrus vodka was considered to be one of the most innovative spirits launches of 2022.